Magic Mushrooms

Women who find glycolic-acid peels too irritating might consider the new Actifirm Z-Peel with enzymes derived from a Japanese mushroom. A clinical trial comparing the Actifirm Z-Peel 60% to a 30 percent glycolic peel found that the Z-Peel reduced wrinkles by 52 percent versus 39 percent for the glycolic formula, with less irritation. A home version, called the Actifirm Z-Peel 30%, is gentle enough to be used before applying a topical serum like vitamin C. "That combination is like doing a twice-weekly microdermabrasion," says San Antonio plastic surgeon Tolbert Wilkinson. "But it won't leave you red or flaky."